The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 73
In brief
Psalm 73 is the story of a crisis of faith. Asaph, a singer of the temple, almost slipped when he saw the wicked prosper without a care, while he suffered despite his purity. He admits his bitterness and envy. Everything changes when he enters God's sanctuary: he understands where the path of the wicked leads, and he rediscovers that God is his portion and his rock. The psalm ends with a testimony: to draw near to God is my good.
The chapter in 6 parts
- v. 1-3God is good, but my feet almost slipped
- v. 4-12The apparent happiness of the wicked
- v. 13-16Bitterness: so I cleansed my heart in vain
- v. 17-20In the sanctuary: the view changes
- v. 21-26Confession and trust: whom do I have in heaven but you?
- v. 27-28The fate of those who drift away and the good of drawing near to God
1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.
5They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
7Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
10Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
11They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
13Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,
14For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak thus”; behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me,
17until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
18Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
19How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
20As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
21For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
22I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
23Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
24You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
26My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
28But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Key verses
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
Asaph states at the outset the truth he will have to find again: God is good to those who are pure in heart. The whole psalm serves to test this claim.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
The psalmist admits he almost fell, because he envied the arrogant when he saw their prosperity. The text does not hide the believer's envy.
until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
The turning point of the psalm: it is in God's sanctuary that Asaph understands the end of those who drift from him. In God's presence we regain a wider perspective.
Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
The central confession: nothing compares to God, who remains the strength of the heart even when flesh and heart fail. These verses are often cited in moments of exhaustion.
But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Asaph's conclusion: coming close to God is his good, his refuge and what lets him tell of God's works. True happiness is closeness to God, not the prosperity of others.
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 73
What does Psalm 73 mean?
Psalm 73 tells of Asaph's crisis of faith, troubled to see the wicked prosper. In the sanctuary he understands that their situation is fragile, then he admits he had a bitter heart. He concludes that God is his portion and that drawing near to him is his good. It is a psalm for those who doubt.
Why do the wicked prosper according to Psalm 73?
The psalm does not give a complete explanation. It shows that from the outside the wicked seem happy, but that their situation is precarious and without God (verses 18 to 20). The true good is communion with God. The book of Job and Ecclesiastes also deal with this question, without a simple answer.
How can I pray with Psalm 73?
Tell God honestly what troubles you, as Asaph did. Then find a moment in a place of prayer or worship to place your situation in God's perspective. Take up verses 25 and 26 as a prayer and finish by asking to taste that drawing near to God is your good.
Articles quoting Psalm 73
World English Bible translation — public domain.